The Thief On The Cross

Biblical Record:

      Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27; John 19:18; Luke 23:39-43 –

This event teaches us that:

1)           Jesus had done nothing wrong.

2)           Jesus died willingly.

3)           Jesus is always willing to forgive.

4)           Jesus is the judge of mankind.

5)           Jesus went to Paradise in the Hades.

Some people read too much into this account and conclude that:

      “Since the thief on the cross was not baptized and was saved, then I do not have to be baptized to be saved.”

Is this valid reasoning?

1.        No proof that the thief was not baptized

-       Matt. 3:1-6 – John’s baptism

2.        Under which covenant did the thief live?

-       The New Testament did not come into effect until Jesus’ death.

Hebrews 9:15-17 – And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.

-       Therefore, the thief was living under the OT.

3.        We live under the NT today.

-       Belief + Baptism = Salvation (Mark 16:16)

-       Baptism “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38)

-       We can only teach God’s words (2 Tim. 4:2)

a.        Spoken today through Jesus (Heb. 1:2)

b.       We will be judges by Jesus’ words (John 12:48)

c.        Therefore, we can only declare unto others that baptism is essential

4.        God alone is the judge.

-       Gen. 18:25 – Will do right

-       Able to take everything into consideration

-       We cannot make judgments for God

-       We can only do and say what God has specified

5.  Know your saved (1 John 5:13)